Panel rejects condemned Okla. man's clemency plea

The state's parole board has rejected a clemency request from a man set to die Dec. 4 for a 1993 double-killing in Oklahoma City.

The Associated Press

The state's parole board has rejected a clemency request from a man set to die Dec. 4 for a 1993 double-killing in Oklahoma City.

Lawyers for 37-year-old George Ochoa told the board he suffers declining mental health and hallucinations and shouldn't be executed. The board voted 4-1 to deny his request for mercy.

Francisco Morales and Maria Yanez died in May 1993. Ochoa wanted his sentence cut to life in prison.

Also convicted in the couple's deaths was Osbaldo Torres, a Mexican citizen whose sentence was reduced by then-Gov. Brad Henry in 2004. Henry imposed a life sentence after Mexican officials raised concerns Torres was not given a chance to speak with the Mexican consulate after being accused.